UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
INSTITUTE OF RESOURCE ASSESSMENT (IRA)

Current Research Projects

ESIA MKULAZI SUGAR FACTORY

To undertake Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA), establish significant impacts and propose mitigation measure for sustainable development of the project

Researchers: Prof. Agnes Mwakaje, Dr. Florian Silangwa, Dr. George Sangu

 

SPECIES STATUS, GENETIC DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS OF NEGLECTED AND UNDERUTILIZED PLANTS FROM ARID AND SEMI-ARID REGIONS OF TANZANIA

  1. Identify the NUS in the study areas
  2. Determine which of the NUS are more frequently utilized by locals than others,
  3. Explore the indigenous knowledge of the various NUS in the study areas and
  4. Compare the level and patterns of genetic diversity between and within populations of the most widely and least utilized NUS species
  5. Assess whether discernable genetic groups exist within Cleome gynandra of Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria.

Researcher: Dr. Catherine Masao

 

WEST INDIAN OCEAN DELTAS EXCHANGE AND RESEARCH NETWORK (WIODER) 2017 – 2019

Research network on West Indian Ocean Deltas

Researchers: Dr. Simon Mwansasu (IRA University of Dar es Salaam), Dr. Craig Hutton (Southampton University), Dr. Katherine Vincent (Southampton University), Dr. Stephenie Duvail (IRD)

 

CLIMATE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: BUILDING AFRICA'S RESILIENCE THROUGH RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE

The overall objective of the Recipient in relation to the Project is to develop leadership capacity of African scientists, policy advisers and practitioners for advancement in current climate knowledge, long-term adaptation, decision-making and climate action to improve the effectiveness of science-policy-practice interface for climate resilience and positive impact in society.

Researchers: Dr. Madaka Tumbo, Dr. Elikana Kalumanga

 

TRAINING FOR RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AFRICA (TRECCAFRICA)

  • Contribute to the improvement of the quality of higher education through the promotion of internationalization, and harmonization of programmes and curricula within participating institutions;
  • Enhance the international cooperation capacity of Higher education Institutes in ACP countries;
  • Enable students, academics and staff to benefit linguistically, culturally and professionally from the experience gained in the context of mobility to another country

Researcher: Dr. James Lyimo

 

THE ECONOMIC OF ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY (TEEB)

Overall objective is to develop a study that compares alternative scenarios for land use and management for each of the sections of the Rufiji Basin- mountain highlands, midlands and the delta specifically to ensure that

Researcher: Prof. Raphael Mwalyosi

 

POVERTY AND PROPERTY RIGHTS IN RURAL TANZANIA

  • Market effect: accessing full benefits of land, rental, input and output markets
  • Transaction effect: facilitate land transfers; efficiency of use; emergence of cadastral survey, national land registry and systematized information networks
  • Security effect: safeguard villagers from land grabbing by outsiders and elites; reduce conflicts over land; female empowerment; increase motivation to invest in the land; guarantee ability to pass land to next generation
  • Collateral, Liquidity and Tax effect: create wealth and liquidity; facilitate access to credit; serve as a bond; finance new businesses; legal recognition of wealth and assets; create a tax base for the government.

Researcher: Prof. Faustine Maganga

 

HIERARCHIES OF RIGHT: LAND AND INVESTMENT IN AFRICA JAN. 2015 TO DEC 2018

The first aim of the project is to understand how contemporary processes of large-scale investments in natural resources (LSINR) are negotiated in Tanzania and Mozambique and their implications for: (a) smallholders’ rights to land and opportunities in benefitting from economic growth; (b) investors’ rights and the security of investments; (c) political stability from high levels of foreign investment in these DANIDA-supported countries. The second aim of the project is to build research capacity related to LSINR in African research institutions

Researcher: Prof. Faustine Maganga

 

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

  • An assessment involving NGOs, government, and private sector actors to identify the range of irrigation systems in place, from community or individually-financed, to private sector initiated, and government/NGO projects.
  • Using social network analysis and net-mapping tools with key stakeholders to identify the influence of different actors and their power to influence the development of PPPs
  • Key informant interviews with government agencies responsible for irrigation development in Tanzania and Ghana, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to identify their major issues regarding irrigation PPP, and analyzing the documents and strategies provided by these stakeholders.
  • Case studies of PPP in irrigation
  • Analysis of case studies and reviews of past successful and unsuccessful PPP experiences, as well as other interventions identified in the assessment of irrigation practices and arrangements in focus groups and key informant interviews to identify factors in project proposal
  • Workshops with stakeholders nationally and in SSA to assess and understand capacity needs and gaps in negotiating equitable and inclusive PPPs

Researcher: Prof. Faustine Maganga

 

VALORIZING AFRICAN AGRICULTURE (VALOR) 2014 TO 2017

Valorization of African Products.

Researcher: Prof. Agnes Mwakaje

 

MEASURING REPORTING AND VERIFICATION (MRV) 2011-2014

To develop efficient methodologies that will provide national estimates of forest carbon stocks in Tanzania and changes in such stocks over time.

Researcher: Dr. James Lyimo

 

THE AFRICAN CLIMATE CHANGE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (ACCFP III)

The African Climate Change Fellowship Program (ACCFP) supports African professionals, researchers, educators and graduate students to undertake activities that enhance their capacities for advancing and applying knowledge for climate change adaptation in Africa. Participating Fellows receive small grants that enable them to visit other institutions - “Host Institutions” - where they collaborate with mentors to implement individually designed projects that, for example, assess and prioritize climate risks, investigate current practices for designing and implementing adaptation projects, consider approaches for integrating adaptation with planning and practice and/or develop and implement curriculum that promotes integration of climate change and climate change adaptation into graduate level education

Researcher: Dr. Madaka Tumbo

 

TANZANIA PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (TPP) 2015 TO 2020

  • To find long term solution, build capacity and create collaborations that promote resilient and sustainable development
  • Promote resilient communities in Milola and Naitolia,Tanzania and create a model for sustainable prosperity.

Researcher: Prof. Claude Mung'ong'o

 

CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF RICE AND MAIZE IN THE RUFIJI BASIN, TANZANIA

Contributing to the enhancement of Rice production in Kilombero District, and Maize Production in Kilosa District

Researcher: Prof. Pius Yanda